LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jose Peraza's first big league camp experience concluded on Monday morning, when the Braves optioned their top prospect to the Triple-A Gwinnett roster.
While Peraza has the capability to establish himself as Atlanta's starting second baseman and leadoff hitter at some point this season, he spent the past few weeks verifying that he needs more time to develop at the Minor League level.
With Opening Day three weeks away, the Braves have reached the point in Spring Training where they need to provide a majority of the playing time to the players who are going to begin the season at the Major League level. At the same time, they want to give their prospects the regular playing time that Peraza will receive as he spends the next few weeks in Minor League camp.
Peraza has ranked as the Braves' top prospect since he produced an .806 OPS and recorded 60 stolen bases while playing for Class A Advanced Lynchburg and Mississippi last year. Since he has played just 44 games at the Double-A level, the speedy 20-year-old infielder was always considered a longshot to open this upcoming season on Atlanta's roster.
Still, the Braves progressed through the offseason without completely ruling out this possibility. Consequently, Peraza generated a lot of attention and hype throughout the winter.
Gonzalez believes the resulting pressure might have had something to do with Peraza recording just one hit in the 16 at-bats he compiled during the Grapefruit League season.
While the long-range plan remains for Peraza to serve as a second baseman, the Braves plan to have him spend some time in center field for Gwinnett. With this being an area of uncertainty for Atlanta, this added versatility might provide an additional opportunity for Peraza to reach the Majors at some point this season.
Before Monday's game against the Astros, the Braves cut six players from their big league camp.
The 40-man roster members who were optioned included Peraza, right-handed pitcher Tyrell Jenkins (Double-A Mississippi), right-handed pitcher Mauricio Cabrera (Class A Advanced Carolina) and left-hander Yean Carlos Gil (Carolina). Left-handed reliever Brady Feigl and catcher Jose Yepez were reassigned to Minor League camp.
Tyrell Jenkins To Mississippi Braves
As Jenkins progressed through his first big league Spring Training, he showed why some scouts believe that he might end up being the most valuable portion of the return the Braves gained from the Cardinals in exchange for Jason Heyward.
Atlanta has certainly been encouraged by what it has seen from Jenkins, the high-upside pitching prospect who joined Shelby Miller to comprise the package St. Louis provided in exchange for Heyward and Jordan Walden in November.
Before being optioned to the Double-A Mississippi roster on Monday, Jenkins took full advantage of the chance to impress Atlanta with his electric right arm and energetic personality. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed a pair of runs during the four innings he completed in Grapefruit League play.
If Jenkins continues to distance himself from his recent injury woes, the Braves believe he could compete for a rotation spot as early as next year. He underwent surgery to repair the right latissimus muscle in his right shoulder in August 2013. But after returning to action with Class A Advanced Palm Beach in June of last year, he concluded the season by making each of his 13 scheduled starts.
Gonzalez was also impressed with what he saw from Brady Feigl, a left-handed reliever who was sent to Minor League camp on Monday. Feigl displayed a fastball that seemed to be livelier than it was when he pitched for Class A Advanced Lynchburg last year. If he continues to impress, the 24-year-old southpaw could potentially set himself up for a late-season promotion to Atlanta this year.
If Jenkins is still with Mississippi, Chattanooga fans may be able to see Jenkins in action against the Lookouts at AT&T Field from July 9 - 13.
--- Source: MLB.com